Man pulled BB gun on paramedics and shop staff

A man who pulled out a BB gun on paramedics and shop staff in Huntingdon has been sentenced.

Staff at Tesco in Abbots Ripton Road, Huntingdon, were concerned for the welfare of Floyd Coppolaro after finding him slumped over the wheel of his BMW in the car park on 11 March last year (2023).

Paramedics were called to check over the 48-year-old and he became aggressive before pulling out what they believed to be a small black handgun.

Armed officers arrived and arrested Coppolaro and located the gun, which they confirmed to be a BB gun, under the passengers seat. Drugs were also found in the vehicle.

Coppolaro was arrested again on 1 June in Ramsey after he was found passed out in the town with a knife and class A drugs in his possession.

At Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (20 September), Coppolaro, of Serjeants Close, Ramsey, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a class C drug, possession with intent to supply heroin and possession of an offensive weapon.

Detective Constable Lee Hurley, who investigated, said: “The members of staff and paramedics were simply concerned for Coppolaro’s welfare that day. They were not to know that it was an imitation firearm.

“We take the carrying of weapons of any kind very seriously and will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Video footage of the arrest can be viewed on our YouTube channel.